Mulch and Compost

The City of Miami's Department of Solid Waste has free mulch available for anyone interested at our Virginia Key Mulch Facility.

Here are some reasons to use mulch:

Water Conservation:     Mulching traps more moisture in the soil where it gets utilized by plants. You won't have to water as often.
Plant Food:     Once the mulch breaks down, it turns into plant food (compost) and makes your soil and plants healthier.
Waste Reduction:     Instead of throwing your leaves and grass clippings in the landfill, you'll be reusing them to increase the luster of your flowerbed or landscape.
Weed Control:     Mulching significantly reduces the amount of weeds. Why risk harming plants and the environment with herbicides when mulch can do the same naturally?
Inexpensive:     This might not be environmentally green, but mulch is very financially economical. Why spend countless dollars buying chemicals and equipment to achieve the same results?

We have an ample supply of mulch, no limit restrictions and no appointment necessary for pick up during operating hours. Our mulch is free of charge, available to anyone year round and can be picked up with assistance from our team at the following location:

Virginia Key Mulch Facility
3851 Rickenbacker Causeway
Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

For additional information call (305) 960-2801

Frequently Asked Recycling Questions

Q:     What is Mulch?

A:     Mulch is a protective covering, usually of organic matter which can be placed around plants to prevent the evaporation of moisture, the freezing of roots, and the growth of weeds. If placed around plants, mulch provides additional benefits, including the diminution of erosion and water loss, and the regulation of soil temperature.

Q:     How much mulch would I need for my garden or landscaping project?

A:     Here's the easiest way to calculate what you need:

1. First, find out the size of the area you want to cover in square feet. This is easy; just multiply the length of your garden by the width.
2. Next, decide how deep you want your mulch to be, in inches. A couple of inches is usually sufficient.
3. Now multiply the size of your garden in square feet (#1) by the depth of your mulch in inches (#2).
4. Divide the number you get in #3 by 324. This is the number of cubic yards of mulch you will need to cover your garden.

Q:     What is Composting?

A:     It is a form of recycling that returns nutrients to the soil through the decomposition of organic material. Good compost is a dark, crumbly, earth like material.

Q:     How can I create compost?

A:     Here are 8 easy steps to make compost:

1. Pick at least 4-ft. area (shaded) where water does not collect when it rains.
2. Cover half the area with a 6 in. layer of leaves. Water thoroughly.
3. Add a 2 in. layer of grass clippings and/or fruit and vegetable scarps and add a dash of soil.
4. Mix this layer lightly into the layer below it with a hoe or cultivator. Water thoroughly.
5. Top with a 2 inch layer of leaves.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 as ingredients are available. Note: The top layer of completed pile should be at least 4 in. of leaves covering all food materials. Turn the whole pile over with a hay-fork or shovel every 2-3 weeks.
7. Adding water as needed to make the whole pike moist like a wrung-out sponge.
8. Compost is well done when most of the original ingredients have broken down and when it smells like rich soil.

For any questions on mulch, please contact (305) 960-2801